Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) is busy with the construction of an alternative bypass road, leading to the Durban Container Terminals and Island View Complex to ease congestion on Bayhead Road.
Department of Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan revealed this in a statement on Tuesday commending Transnet for its significant progress in undertaking repairs to operational areas damaged by the recent KwaZulu-Natal floods.
Transnet managed to reopen one of its rail lines on the container corridor between the port, in Durban’s South Industrial Basin, and Cato Ridge as well as repair Bayhead road.
TNPA, on 10 June, commissioned the successful reconstruction of a fourth lane on Bayhead Road, which is a key access road to the port.
The new access road under construction is expected to further relieve congestion on Bayhead Road and in the port precinct in general.
TNPA said that the removal of existing rail tracks and clearing of the bushes has since been completed, with earthworks and placement of pioneer layers currently in progress.
“Work on the alternative bypass road is expected to be concluded towards the end of November 2022,” TNPA further said.
“Bayhead Road, which leads to the Durban Container Terminals and the Island View Precinct in the port, was heavily impacted when parts of the road were washed away by the floods,” said the DPE.
The DPE noted that TNPA successfully executed the first phase of the road’s reconstruction project on 16 April, a few days after the flooding, which included the stabilisation and opening of the road with one lane going in each direction. A third lane was opened on 8 May.
Meanwhile, the public-private organised business body the KZN Growth Coalition has also welcomed Transnet’s restoration of the rail infrastructure, saying this “has provided great relief to both the provincial government and businesses in the province”.
The coalition further applauded Transnet for employing more than 1 300 community members as fixed-term contract staff in its restoration programme.
“We are more than satisfied with the leadership shown by Transnet in getting the wheels of our economy moving again,” it said in a statement.
The DPE said more work still needs to be done in the Durban South Industrial Basin and that Transnet continues to work to ensure swift reconstruction.
